In both Santos' and Camins' dictionaries, this word is defined as to inform or to give notice. However, I have yet to encounter an individual who uses this word in that manner. Based on my experience, people would use the word habla or informa (in formal settings) when they say 'inform' or 'give notice'. This means that this usage of avisa in Chabacano developed just recently.

In a book about the Chavacano de Ternate by De Ocampo, this word is listed as bisa and is also defined as to tell or to inform.